DTSDE Survey Information

As part of the review process, schools and districts will be required to submit survey results. Below are the survey administration and submission process Frequently Asked Questions.

Surveys

1. Are surveys a mandated part of the DTSDE process?

Yes, surveys of students in Grades 3-5 and 6-12, as well as surveys of teachers are mandated components of the in the DTSDE process for IIT and District-led reviews. NYSED also encourages districts to conduct parent surveys.

2. Who pays for the surveys?

The District will pay for the surveys. Title I 1003(a) grant funds may be used to pay for the cost of the surveys in Title I Focus and Priority Schools.

Only a state-approved survey vendor can be used for the DTSDE review process. If a survey vendor has submitted their survey to NYSED and is awaiting approval, a district should contact the Office of School and District Review so that further guidance can be provided.

4. To whom must the survey be administered?

Surveys must be administered to students in grades 3-5 and 6-12 and to teachers in Priority Schools and Focus Schools that are participating in a State led IIT school review or a District-led DTSDE review.

5. If a district wishes to survey students in grade K-2 and/or parents, is this permissible? May the district use 1003(a) grant funds to pay for such surveys?

Yes, 1003(a) grant funds may be used to pay for surveys of students in grades K-2 and/or of parents in a Title I school receiving a State led IIT school review or a District-led DTSDE review during the school year.

6. If a district wishes to conduct surveys district-wide or in schools that are Priority or Focus Schools, may the district use 1003(a) grant funds to pay for such surveys?

1003(a) grant funds may only be used to conduct surveys in Title I Priority and Focus Schools. 1003(a) grant funds may be used to pay for a district-wide survey only if all of the schools in a district are Title I schools that have been identified as Focus or Priority.

7. When are surveys to be administered?

Surveys are to be administered (whenever possible) before the review team visits the school. The surveys are a part of the pre-documentation review that will be reviewed by the IIT to gather a better understanding of the perceptions and support that are provided by the school to teachers, students, and parents. The surveys should uncover trends and practices at the school that will lead to the development of an inquiry trail for specific events by the review team.

8. We conducted a survey at the end of last year. Can we use it for this year’s review?

NYSED will permit the use of survey from the previous school year provided the survey has been administered within 12 months of the scheduled review, and provided there have been no substantial changes to the school, such as a turnover in leadership or a grade reconfiguration.

However, NYSED will remind schools and districts that in order for the survey to be a helpful tool, it should accurately capture the current state of the school. Outdated surveys will not reflect improvements that have been made since the survey was conducted. Schools have also found that annual surveys provide a key source of EVIDENCE OF IMPACT to show reviewers that the practices they have begun have added value to the school.